Geophysical Investigations Faryab

It has been proposed a program for exploratory drilling in Faryab. The content of the work has been discussed with key hydrogologist in Kabul. Based on this discussions it has been proposed that prior to any exploratory drilling, geophysical exploration will be conducted on the selected sites.

Focus will be concentrated on exploratory investigations for two key potential aquifers in Maymane and in Shirin Tagab. A third option under consideration is to sink a deep boreholes near Andkhoi. The latter is still under consideration.

The first step will be geophysical investigations survey.
This will consist of:

- walkover survey (2013)
- geophysical investigations (2013)
- to be followed by exploratory drilling (2014)

Photos above to illustrate some of the expected field work to be done using electrical resistivity analysis to assess groundwater potential . ( From training course in Kabul)

Relevant reference documents and information:

Maymane desktop study and investigation program

Shirin Tagab desktop study and investigation program

Planning field work - October 2013

Planning meeting has been held between MRRD, DACAAR and RRD on the approach for the geophysical investigations to be implemented.

Date: 13/10/2013
Location: Eng. Poya’s Office, MRRD
Participants:
MRRD: Eng. Poya, Eng. Mansoor, Eng. Ramazan & Eng.???
DACAAR: Eng Jawid
NORPLAN: Andreas de Jong

Minutes on work to be done:

  1. There is a plan to carry out a geophysical survey in Maymana
    The participants will be:
    From MRRD: Eng. Jalil Mansoor & Ramazan
    From DACAAR: Eng. Jawid, Hassan & Hadi
    i.e 6 people. It is proposed to form two geophysical teams to maximize productivity. See updated list below:

  2. The exact schedule & activities for this project have not yet been fixed, so a first draft workplan was elaborated during this meeting.
    It is proposed to carry out the survey between Saturday 02 November & Thursday 21st November.

    Team members to check draft workplan

  3. Travel to Faryab is proposed by air for security issues. A vehicle could transport the heavy equipment

  4. Dave has done a desk study of baseline data. DACAAR should check if everything has been included, or if there is any other information available Kabul-Maymana.

    Action: Jawid/Hassan

  5. On arrival in Maymane, the team should talk with:

    1. The governor for an update on security issues. Security in Torpakhtu is “questionable”, and in Yam Bulaq it is “bad”. This needs to be verified, before the exact groundwater exploration area is fixed by the team.

    2. The MRRD driller for local knowledge of the aquifers. MRRD has drilled a well in Torpakhtu three years ago. Any info?

      Action: MRRD/DACAAR field team

  6. A baseline needs to be carried out once the groundwater exploration area is fixed. See Dave’s notes on what to do. In the workplan three days have been allocated for this, but it may take longer.
    An important issue to address is who the potential beneficiaries are, or are we just doing an academic study with monitoring wells which will be handed over to MEW? Water demand surveys should be carried out in nearby villages such as Torpakhtu, if it is safe to do so.
    Action: MRRD/DACAAR field team

  7. Fridays are rest days.

  8. Following the baseline survey, the rest of the time will be spent on geophysics (estimated 12 working days).
    The approach should be:

    1. Calibration soundings near all wells where good geological logs are available. E.g. Bibi Aina borehole.

    2. 3 – 5 profile lines starting at the Maymane River and extending perpendicular to the river across the survey area. Resistivity profiles can be carried out at one or two places near the river to check for rapid lateral changes, but mostly we are looking for regular VES soundings along the profiles. Try to choose profiles which go close to existing wells which can be used as calibration soundings.

    3. The VES arrays should be centered on the profile line, and perpendicular to the profile if possible. However, if there are straight roads or other features that make the survey easier, these can be followed.

  9. Andreas can provide guidance during the course of the survey. Please e-mail the data on a daily basis.

  10. We should view this field survey as a training exercise for groundwater exploration techniques. It is unclear who the beneficiaries are at this stage, but this should become clearer during the baseline survey. The geophysics will be followed up by exploration drilling so it is important to think about the whole conceptual hydrogeological model of the area – what are the potential pollution sources etc.

  11. A budget framework has been put together, but the costs need to be filled in before an estimate can be obtained. Action: Abrar/Eqrar

 

Implementation schedule October- November 2013:

The work is anticipated to spend 3 weeks on the field visit to Faryab.

Surveying team:

RuWatSIP, MRRD RRD DACAAR NCA
Eng. A. Jalil Eng Malik Eng. Hassan Eng. Ehsan Bayat
Eng. Mansoor Eng. Mirwais Eng Jawid  
Eng Ramazan Eng. Jawad eng. Hadi  
  Eng Sakhidad    

Eng Ehsan Bayat will be joining the team there.

On return from Faryab, the team will be met by Andreas de Jong who will use the data for training and further interpretation for collective preparation of survey report.

 

Field work in Progress: November 2013:

Work in Maymane:

MRRD survey team i

DACAAR survey team
For more detailed photos from the field work in Maymane see photo page.(click on this link)

 

 
Map above supplied by Hassan from DACAAR 24.11.13 showing where MRRD (M) and DACAAR( D) survey teams have been working, northwewest of Maymane City. This is all in line with prepared plans.

 

Results to follow